Stock indices closed higher on speculation the European Central Bank will add further stimulus measures. The reason for the speculation was the weaker-than-expected Ifo business climate index for Germany. The Ifo business climate index for Germany declined to 104.7 in September from 106.3 in August. That was the fifth successive in five months and the lowest level since April 2013.

Analysts had expected the Ifo business climate index to fall to 105.9.

The European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi said in a French radio interview on Wednesday that the ECB will keep its monetary policy accommodative for as long as needed to bring inflation to 2% inflation target.

TNT Express NV dropped 9.4% after the company cut its 2015 profit forecast.

Indexes on the close:

Name Price Change Change %

FTSE 100 6,706.27 +30.19 +0.45%

DAX 9,661.97 +66.94 +0.70%

CAC 40 4,413.72 +54.37 +1.25%